DriveON Light-Duty/Passenger Vehicle Rollout and Extended Transition Period for Annual and Semi-Annual Inspections

Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations (MVIS) offering ONLY light-duty vehicle safety inspections are now finally able to apply for, and enroll in, the new digital safety platform.

MVIS facilities that only conduct light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections, can apply through the DriveON portal at www.driveonportal.com.

The MTO’s full release and other important news can be seen below:

MEMORANDUM TO: Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) and DriveON Stakeholders

FROM: Jennifer Elliot

Director

DATE: August 30, 2024

SUBJECT: DriveON Light-Duty/Passenger Vehicle Rollout and Extended Transition Period for Annual and Semi-Annual Inspections

In July 2022, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) started combining the heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions testing program and MTO’s Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) program into a single digital inspection program called DriveON. We have been onboarding MVIS facilities to DriveON in a phased approach and are ready to open the next phase, which is onboarding of Light-Duty MVIS facilities.

September 3, 2024 – Light-Duty MVIS Facilities can start applying to the DriveON program

MTO is pleased to announce that enrolment into DriveON will open on September 3, 2024, for current MVIS facilities that only conduct light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections.

MVIS facilities that only conduct light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections, can apply through the DriveON portal at www.driveonportal.com.

Facilities whose applications are approved by the ministry will be onboarded and allowed to purchase the necessary equipment through the DriveON portal.

To ensure MVIS facilities receive their DriveON equipment prior to the ending of the MVIS program on December 31, 2024, it is strongly recommended they complete the enrolment process and purchase equipment prior to November 1, 2024.

Complimentary Inspection Tablet for Light-Duty Facilities

To help support the industry, the ministry will be providing one complimentary inspection tablet to all currently licensed MVIS facilities whose applications have been approved to DriveON during the purchase of the initial equipment package.

MVIS facilities that only conduct light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections will be eligible to receive one complimentary inspection tablet if onboarded to DriveON before December 31, 2024.

If MVIS facilities don’t apply to DriveON by December 31, 2024, they will no longer be able to conduct light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections under the MVIS program. These facilities will have to wait until the next phase of onboarding occurring after December 31, 2024, to apply and will not be eligible to receive a complimentary inspection tablet.

Technicians Entering the DriveON Program Must:

Have a valid Certificate of Qualification with Skilled Trades Ontario that is active and for which all fees have been paid. This information can be verified by calling 1-855-299-0028 or going online and checking the public registry for status through Skilled Trades Ontario at www.skilledtradesontario.ca.

Complete the mandatory online training available on the portal, which is free of charge and available 24/7.

MVIS facility owners and technicians are encouraged to review the Program Enrolment Package and begin collecting the required documents for their DriveON application. The Program Enrolment Package can be found on the DriveON portal at www.driveonportal.com.

DriveON Vendor

Further information regarding the process on how to enrol in the DriveON program will be communicated by the DriveON vendor, Parsons Inc. Additionally, Parsons will be hosting information sessions during the month of September, and we encourage you to attend to have your questions and/or concerns addressed:

Wednesday, September 4^th at 11:00am
Wednesday, September 4^th at 2:00pm
Thursday, September 5^th at 12:00pm
Tuesday, September 10^th at 10:30am
Tuesday, September 10^th at 2:00pm
Wednesday, September 11^th at 10:00am

If you have any questions about the new DriveON program, please contact the Vehicle Inspection Centre Assistance Line toll free at 1-833-420-2110 or by email at VIC@driveonportal.com.

Annual and Semi-annual Certificates Transition Period Extension

Annual and semi-annual certificates can no longer be ordered.

Ontario Regulation 170/22: Vehicle Inspection Centers states that MVIS stations are to stop issuing or affixing annual or semi-annual stickers after July 31, 2024.

However, MTO provided an educational transition period to help existing MVIS stations enter the DriveON program, and to reduce the burden on the industry. During this transition period, existing MVIS stations may continue to issue annual and semi-annual stickers and certificates. MTO is extending the transition period one more time from August 31, 2024, to September 30, 2024.

Refunds

All unused MVIS certificates and stickers must be returned to MTO. Stations that have joined DriveON and have received their equipment, are required by legislation to return all unused MVIS books and certificates. If stations use MVIS certificates, they can face charges and their enrolment into the new DriveON program may be revoked or refused.

To qualify for refunds:

- unused forms of annual inspection and semi-annual inspection certificates and stickers must be returned by October 31, 2024. Heavy-duty stations must also return unused safety standards certificates by October 31, 2024.
- unused safety standards certificates must be returned by January 31, 2025.

Refunds will not be provided if unused annual inspection and semi-annual inspection forms and stickers are returned to the us beyond these dates.

Further questions or concerns about refunds may be directed to the MVIS program via telephone at 1-800-387-7736, via Fax at 905-704-2574, or via email at MVIS.CIVA@ontario.ca

Sincerely,

Jennifer Elliott

Director

DriveON Onboarding Q&A

Q1: I am a current light duty/passenger MVIS facility. What will I need when I apply to the DriveON program?

A1: You will be able to apply to DriveON through the DriveON portal www.driveonportal.com on September 3, 2024. Information regarding the onboarding process can be found in the Program Enrolment Package on the DriveON portal. You can access the guide here at www.driveonportal.com.

Q2: I am a current MVIS facility that only conducts light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections. When do I need to onboard into the DriveON program by?

A2: The current MVIS program will end on December 31, 2024. MVIS facilities will no longer be authorized by the ministry to perform these types of inspections under the MVIS program as of December 31, 2024. It is strongly recommended to complete enrolment and equipment purchase prior to November 1, 2024, to allow for your application to be processed and equipment shipped in time.

Q3: How do I apply for my complimentary inspection tablet?

A3: Once an MVIS facility has completed their application to DriveON through the DriveON portal, tablet savings will be applied automatically to their equipment purchase order. No additional action will be required by the MVIS facility during the application process.

Q4: Am I able to purchase another tablet in addition to my complimentary one?

A4: Yes, MVIS facilities joining DriveON can purchase multiple tablets based on their operational needs. Additional tablets can be purchased individually or as part of additional packages. Facilities should be aware that the sale of all DriveON equipment is final and non-refundable.

Q5: I own an MVIS facility that performs safety inspections with two MVIS numbers. Do I get a free tablet for each MVIS number?

A5: Yes. One complimentary tablet will be provided for each MVIS ID number per VIC application.

Q6: When can my technicians register with DriveON?

A6: Technicians can begin the registration process on the portal now at www.driveonportal.com. Once they have created their username and password, they can then start the mandatory online training available on the portal, which is free of charge and available 24/7. This can be done independent of the Vehicle Inspection Centre application process.

Q7: I am a current MVIS facility that only performs structural inspections. How will I know when I can apply to the DriveON program?

A7: The ministry will communicate onboarding dates for MVIS facilities that only perform structural inspections at a later date. In the meantime, these MVIS facilities planning to apply to the DriveON program should review the Program Enrolment Package found at www.driveonportal.com to begin collecting the necessary documents for their DriveON application.

Q8: I am a current VIC in the DriveON program that only performs emissions inspections. Am I eligible for a complimentary inspection tablet?

A8: No, only currently licensed MVIS facilities that are onboarded into DriveON by the required dates are eligible to receive one complimentary inspection tablet.

Q9: Can a current MVIS facility add emissions capability to their VIC?

A9: Yes, MVIS facilities can add emissions inspection capability to their VICs during onboarding. If a current MVI, would also like to conduct DriveON Emissions inspections, they can indicate that in their onboarding application. The vendor will get back to you on the equipment delivery date based on a first come first serve basis.

Q10: I am a current MVIS facility – what if I don’t want to join the DriveON program?

A10: MVIS facilities that only perform light duty/passenger vehicle inspections are encouraged to join the new DriveON program by December 31, 2024. After this date, no light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections can be performed under the MVIS program.

Q11: I am a current MVIS facility that performs heavy duty inspections. Can I still enroll in DriveON?

A11: Yes, heavy duty MIVS facilities can still enrol in DriveON. However, when enrolment opens to MVIS facilities that perform light duty/passenger vehicle inspections, they will be given priority.

DriveON Light-Duty/Passenger Vehicle Rollout and Extended Transition Period for Annual and Semi-Annual Inspections